Do not do that
I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!” For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets. Revelation 19:10
I have never been in a position where I was encouraged or even felt inspired to bow down to a person here in this world. I’m sure there are foreign dignitaries or even royal families who are used to being bowed before. I just haven’t been in the vicinity of any such individuals. I know that I am not cultured or even educated enough to know who would expect that type of greeting if by some chance I was brought into that scenario. I do, however, take that position often when I am in prayer. In fact, I prefer to be face down on my knees when spending time with my Father in prayer. One of the reasons is because it helps me to shut out all distractions and make sure all my attention is on what I am doing and why I am in that position to begin with, but mostly, I just want to approach my Father with the honor and reverence He is due!
You do not have to bow down or prostrate yourself to show worship or to idolize someone. This level of putting a person on a pedestal can be done simply by giving the majority of your attention to or even a belief that having that person in an elevated position makes your life better in some way. It can be a famous actor or musician or even a politician that can take up so much space in your life that actually becomes a form of worship.
In today’s reading, the apostle John finds himself in a place where he feels compelled to bow down to the one that is hosting his experience in heaven. Who could blame him? He is in a place of complete perfection and inexplicable beauty surrounded by heavenly hosts of every kind. If there was ever a situation worthy of bowing down, certainly it will be in the throne room of God. However, John’s heavenly guide tells him don’t do that! Then goes on to explains that he is a fellow servant just like John and all other believers. Then he tells John that God is the only One that should be worshiped and this is the truth that Jesus has revealed to inspire John to write the prophecy he was given at that time. Even Jesus said when He was here in the world: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ (See Luke 4:8)
This is good news for us even today. We do not have to wonder Who deserves our worship and Who is worthy of our praise! We worship Him! The God of creation and the God of the entire universe and beyond. He is the One Who sent a Savoir to rescue us and He is the One who loves us with the most perfect love! So the next time you step into an intentional place to commune with your heavenly Father, go ahead and bow down and worship Him because He is worthy and He is holy! He is the One Who is due all our worship and the One we give all our praise, honor and glory to.
Today I want to encourage you to consider if there is anyone in this world that you may be worshiping. Have you given your loyalty and allegiance to a celebrity or even political figure? Yes, there are important people in the world and we are instructed to give praise to whom praise is due, but make sure not to go to far in thinking that there is a person or leader that can fix the world we live in or is worthy of our worship. There is none worthy no not one! Worship God your heavenly Father, He alone is worthy!
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:9-10
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
The Daily Dose 